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Nominations Open For Book Of Golden Deeds

Nominations are being accepted to honor those who serve their community and neighbors.

Those wishing to nominate a relative, friend, co-worker or neighbor for the 2013 Book of Golden Deeds Award can mail nomination forms to the Fort Smith Noon Exchange Club, P.O. Box 180895, Fort Smith, AR 72918. The nomination form was printed on page 7A of Thursday’s edition of the Times Record and must be filled out and received by Jan. 11 for consideration, said Claude Legris, FSNEC member and past president.

“This is a program that was put together on a national level to recognize some unsung heroes in the community,” he said. “This is something we’ve done every year since 1942, and it’s literally a who’s who of Fort Smith.

“Usually, it’s people who work behind the scenes to do wonderful things for the community,” Legris added. “We have past recipients like Janie Glover, Charlotte Tidwell, Dr. Art Martin, Dr. Saumuel Landrum, Bert Wright, Mayor Ray Baker, J. Fred Patton and many others who unselfishly volunteered and helped this community.”

One winner is named by the club’s “secret committee” each year and is included in the club’s Book of Good Deeds, Legris said.

“It’s literally a book — it’s included in a couple great big books — and we take everything associated with that winner and include them in the book,” he said. “We take the nomination form, the speech, the publicity that covers the nominations and such, and we mount all of that in the Book of Golden Deeds.”

The winner will be announced during the club’s Book of Golden Deeds banquet on Feb. 8 at the Fianna Hills Country Club, Legris said. Numerous past winners are expected to attend the event to show their support for the program, he said.

“We have club member Scott Monroe watch the door for those past recipients who are attending, and then Scott will make a presentation at the banquet that recognizes those past recipients,” Legris said.

Those attending the banquet will be able to look through the Book of Golden Deeds, he said.

“It’s exciting because we have a few past recipients who are still active in our club,” Legris said. “We do want people to know, though, that you don’t have to be a member of the Noon Exchange Club to be nominated. Anyone can be nominated for this.”